Solitary Intrascrotal Plexiform Neurofibroma in a 10-Year-Old Male.

Intrascrotal neurofibromas are extensive tumors that grow from peripheral nerves within the scrotum and are exceedingly rare among the benign extratesticular tumors. Though the risk is low, potential for malignancy and patient discomfort make diagnosis and surgical evaluation imperative. Pediatric neurofibromas are typically only associated with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Needle Microcores: Can They Pose an Occlusive Threat with Nonparticulate Injections?

Summary: The incidence of vascular occlusion injuries has risen substantially along with the increasing popularity of cosmetic injectables. Among these occurrences, instances of soft-tissue ischemic events following the injection of nonparticulate solutions, such as botulinum, represent an enigmatic etiology that has yet to be fully understood. One hypothesized mechanism of injury underlying these events relates to the accidental capture and intravascular ejection of needle microcores, defined as submillimeter tissue fragments trapped by the beveled lumen of a needle during conventional injections.

Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion Sequence (TRAPS): An Illustrative Series of 13 Cases.

Twin reversed-arterial-perfusion sequence (TRAPS) is a rare and severe complication of monochorionic twin pregnancies. It usually occurs in the setting of monochorionic placentation, when the heart of a normal appearing twin serves as the pump for one or more dysmorphic twins whose head, thoracic organs, and upper extremities do not fully develop or do not develop at all and thus lack cardiac activity. Anomalous vascular placental architecture causes a shift in arterial flow towards the acardiac twin(s).

Bridging the gaps between the histopathological and demographic risk factors of preterm birth in a unique Miami inner-city population.

We aim to identify the link between placental histological findings and obstetric reports to determine possible risk factors of spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB). We prospectively ascertained birth records and outcomes from all deliveries in our hospital in 1 year. Records were used to determine and stratify for either full-term or preterm [spontaneous or indicated (I)] deliveries.

An animal model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm rabbits.

Creation of an animal model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) allowing adjustment of severity and potential recoverability is needed to study effectiveness of prevention and treatment strategies. This study describes a novel model in preterm rabbits capable of adjusting severity of NEC-like histologic changes. Rabbit pups (n = 151) were delivered by cesarean section 2 days preterm.

Intracaval liver with cardiac extension. A new developmental anomaly?

Inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction is uncommon in children. We report a patient with liver within a IVC extending to the right atrium who underwent successful surgical resection. A 12-year-old boy with an Arnold Chiari malformation was admitted for seizures.

Differential changes in TGF-β/BMP signaling pathway in the right ventricular myocardium of newborns with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Background: Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is characterized by underdevelopment of the left ventricle (LV) and increased biomechanical stress on the right ventricle (RV) from single ventricle physiology. Despite the clinical significance, the signaling pathways active during RV remodeling and disease progression are not known. To address this, we examined differential changes in expression of genes associated with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in RV tissue isolated from HLHS patients relative to RV and LV tissue from control subjects.

Thrombotic cutaneous gangrene with autoamputation of the penis: a rare extracolonic manifestation of ulcerative colitis in a child.

We present a pediatric patient with ulcerative colitis who developed thrombotic cutaneous gangrene involving skin of the lower chest, abdomen, back, bilateral buttocks, bilateral thighs, perineum, and genitalia, ultimately resulting in autoamputation of the glans penis. After an extensive review of the literature, we describe the diagnosis and management of this devastating condition.